Governor signs legislation to raise minimum wage

Friday

Governor Jack Markell recently signed into law Senate Bill 6, which will raise the minimum wage in Delaware to $8.25 per hour in two increments.

Governor Jack Markell recently signed into law Senate Bill 6, which will raise the minimum wage in Delaware to $8.25 per hour in two increments.

The state's hourly minimum wage will go up 50 cents to $7.75 on June 1 and on June 1, 2015, it will go up another 50 cents to $8.25 per hour, making it $1 higher than the current federal minimum wage. Delaware last increased its minimum wage in 2009, when the federal government increased the national minimum wage to its current level. Once the full increase is implemented, Delaware will be on par with New Jersey, where the current minimum wage is $8.25. The current minimum wage in the nearby states of Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania is $7.25.

“I am pleased so many of my colleagues joined in supporting a bill that will have a real impact on Delaware families,” said Rep. Gerald Brady, D-Wilmington West. “Our economy in recovery, and this minimum wage increase will allow Delawareans to participate in that recovery. It’s a small but important step.”